Brahminy blind snake

Indotyphlops braminus

"Indotyphlops braminus" is a nonvenomous blind snake species found mostly in Africa and Asia, but has been introduced in many other parts of the world. They are completely fossorial animals, with habits and appearance similar to earthworms, for which they are often mistaken, although close examination reveals tiny scales rather than the annular segments characteristic of true earthworms.
Blind but still has eyes! This Blindsnake looks like an earthworm until you take a closer look and can see the scales. Also possible to see it sticking out it's tiny tongue but too challenging to get the tongue shot. They may be blind, but still has eyes, as can be seen in the picture, the tiny black dot. Baguio,Benguet,Blindsnake,Brahminy Blindsnake,Indotyphlops braminus,Philippines,Snake

Appearance

Adults are small and thin, typically 6.35 -16.5 cm in length. The head and tail-tip look much the same, with no narrowing of the neck. The rudimentary eyes appear only as a pair of small dots under the head scales. The tip of the tail ends with a tiny, pointed spur. The head scales are small and resemble those on the body. Twenty rows of dorsal scales occur along the entire body. The coloration of the adults varies from shiny silver gray to charcoal gray or purple. The venter is grayish to brown. Juveniles are colored much the same as the adults.

The tiny eyes are covered with translucent scales, rendering these snakes almost entirely blind. The eyes cannot form images, but are still capable of registering light intensity.
Flowerpot snake or Brahminy blind snake I found it four stories up in my rooftop garden at the time in almost central Saigon. The 15 cm snake obviously got there when I picked up some pot plants at a nursery. At first I thought that it was a worm but it's snakelike movements made me look again. It alwise tried to get back under the soil quickly. Eamw snakes,Geotagged,Indotyphlops braminus,Vietnam

Naming

"I. braminus" is variously known as brahminy blind snake, flowerpot snake, common blind snake, island blind snake, and Hawaiian blind snake. The moniker "flowerpot snake" derives from the snake's incidental introduction to various parts of the world through the plant trade.

The specific name is a latinized form of the word Brahmin, which is a caste among Hindus. No subspecies are currently recognized.

Habitat

Usually, they occur in urban and agricultural areas. These snakes live under ground in ant and termite nests. They are also found under logs, moist leaves, and humus in wet forest, dry jungle, and even city gardens. The distribution and survival of this group of snakes directly reflect soil humidity and temperature.

Reproduction

This species is parthenogenetic and all specimens collected so far have been female. They lay eggs or may bear live young. Up to eight offspring are produced - all female and all genetically identical.

Food

Their diet consists of the larvae, eggs, and pupae of ants and termites.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyTyphlopidae
GenusIndotyphlops
SpeciesI. braminus
Photographed in
Philippines
Viet Nam